‘Steven Universe’ Premiere Reaches the Stars

Cartoon Network’s newest original animated comedy, Steven Universe (from Adventure Time Emmy and Annie award nominated story artist/writer Rebecca Sugar), premiered Monday Nov. 4 as the network’s most-watched series premiere to date in 2013 among kids 6-11 and boys 6-11, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research data. The newest kid on the CN block also ranked #1 in its 8 p.m. time period among all kids 2-11, 6-11 and 9-14, and boys 2-11, 6-11 and 9-14, and as the #1 telecast of the day on all TV among targeted boys 6-11 and 9-14.

Sugar’s first-ever series creation, the 2D animated Steven Universe earned across-the-board ratings and delivery growth ranging between 7% and 23% versus the same time period last year, as well as significant ratings/delivery gains over the previous four weeks’ average, ranging between 25% and 42%. Overall, the magical space-hero show garnered nearly 1.9 million viewers 2+, representing a 30% increase over the prior four weeks’ average.

Steven Universe follows the misadventures of a boy named Steven, the ultimate “little brother” to an all-female team of magical guardians of humanity: the Crystal Gems. He may not be as powerful as the Gems. Or as Savvy. And he doesn’t have much control over his powers, originating from the gem in his bellybutton. But that doesn’t stop Steven from joining Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl on their magical adventures and somehow finding a way to save the day. The show airs Monday nights at 8/7c.